Decoding Poison Plants for Medicine | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 3, 2026 · 1m

Scientists unlock the secret of deadly yet powerful plants like wolfsbane and larkspur, revealing how they naturally produce complex compounds with potential to treat pain, malaria, and cancer. After years of mystery, researchers from Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences cracked the genetic code, identifying six enzymes that replicate these alkaloids in tobacco plants — turning them into living chemical factories. This breakthrough opens the door to sustainable, lab-made natural medicines, harnessing ancient plant chemistry for modern healing. Listen in comfort:Get a…